Safety in School Transport: What Every Parent Should Know

School transport is an integral part of ensuring that our children have access to education and social interaction. However, it’s important to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect: the loading of these vehicles and the safety implications associated with it. Peggie Mars of Wheel Well, BabyYumYum’s car safety expert, calls for change and accountability.

This article delves into the regulations that dictate the loading of children in vehicles: the potential risks they pose, and calls for collective accountability and gradual regulatory change to prioritise the safety of our children.

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The Current Loading Regulations

As per Regulation 231 of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA), the loading of a vehicle considers children under three as non-persons, children between three and six as two children count as one person, and children between six and thirteen, three children count as one person. This implies that a 13-seater minibus can legally carry a driver plus eighteen children between six and thirteen or twenty-four children between three and six years old, provided the maximum weight limit is not exceeded. However, this legal allowance does not equate to safety, as it means there may not be a designated seat or seatbelt for each child.

Balancing Legality and Safety

While legal standards permit such loading configurations, it’s essential to highlight the potential safety risks associated with overloading. Having 18-24 children unrestrained in a moving vehicle poses a significant threat to their safety in the event of a crash or sudden braking. The absence of appropriate restraints compromises their well-being, urging us to prioritise safety over mere legality.

Parental Concerns and Responsibilities

Many parents utilising school transport services often rely on public transportation themselves and need to leave for work before their children depart for school, and may not witness the condition or loading of the vehicles. Balancing work and childcare responsibilities is a challenge, and relying solely on changing regulations is not sufficient. Parents need to take an active role in ensuring their children’s safety by communicating with the school and staying informed about the condition of the vehicles.

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The Role of Teachers and Schools

Teachers play a pivotal role in our children’s lives, extending beyond the classroom. They are often present when the children are dropped off from the school transport, providing an opportunity to observe the vehicle’s condition and loading. Schools can take a proactive approach by assigning teachers to inspect vehicles, report any issues, and communicate with parents to collectively address safety concerns.

Striving for an Ideal World

In an ideal world, regulations would evolve to ensure that in school transport, each child has a designated seat, seatbelt and, if needed, a car seat. While achieving this may take time, advocating for these changes is crucial. By raising awareness, working together, and pushing for safer transport conditions, we can strive towards a future where the safety of our little ones is always prioritised.

It’s clear that existing regulations concerning the loading of school transport vehicles pose a safety risk for our young children. It’s imperative that parents, teachers, schools, and authorities collaborate to hold drivers accountable for safe loading practices. Furthermore, advocating for changes in regulations that prioritise individual safety measures for each child is a step towards creating a safer school transport environment for all.

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